2026 eviction process in Clark County: costs, timeline, and one flat fee

Vancouver evictions run through Superior Court. Clark County is the highest per-capita eviction rate in Washington. Here is exactly what it costs and how long it takes.

What Clark County charges

Court charge	Amount
Filing & citation/service	$45

Set by the court, not by us. Itemized at checkout and passed through at cost. Statutes: RCW 59.12, 59.18; RCW 59.18.650 (just cause).

The Washington timeline

The Washington calendar, day by day

The most defense-heavy state we practice in - and the one where an LLC must appear through a lawyer.

Day 0 is the day the notice is served.◎ ring = deadline fixed by statute• gold = you have the property back

Day 0
US
14-day notice servedSET BY LAW
On the mandatory statutory form, with itemization, translation links and legal-aid contacts. Defective notices are dismissed.
RCW 59.12.030(3)
Day 14
US
Notice expiresSET BY LAW
Fourteen days to pay or vacate.
RCW 59.12.030(3)
Day 17
US
Summons & complaint servedCOURT’S CALENDAR
Filed in superior court. Property managers cannot file for you here.
Day 24
COURT
Answer deadlineSET BY LAW
Seven days from service of the summons.
RCW 59.18.365
Day 40
COURT
Show-cause hearingCOURT’S CALENDAR
Most are virtual. Your attorney appears.
Day 45
COURT
JudgmentCOURT’S CALENDAR
Writ of restitution requested on entry.
Day 52
COURT
Reinstatement window endsSET BY LAW
The tenant has 5 court days after judgment to reinstate by paying.
RCW 59.18.410
Day 75
COURT
Keys backCOURT’S CALENDAR
Sheriff schedules the physical restoration.

King County sheriff writ queues have recently run about 90 days. We show you the real date, not the optimistic one. Seattle, Tacoma, Burien and Federal Way are not available online.

Day counts run from the day the notice is served. Statutory intervals are fixed by law; hearing, judgment, and lockout dates are set by the court and the constable or sheriff and vary by county. No result or date is guaranteed.

Typical uncontested case: 2–4 months (longer in King County).

Price it for your property

Your exact price, before you give us a name

Attorney fee — flat	$1,000
Harris County court costs	$324
Estimated total — costs itemized and passed through at cost	$1,324

Court charges are set by the court and verified at attorney review; if your county's actual costs differ, you pay the actual, never more than quoted without your OK.

Clark County eviction FAQ

How much does an eviction cost in Clark County?

Court charges in Clark County run about $45 (filing), plus attorney fees. Our flat attorney fee for an uncontested Washington eviction is $2,500 with court costs itemized and passed through at cost.

How long does an eviction take in Clark County?

A typical uncontested case runs 2–4 months (longer in King County) from notice to possession. Contested cases take longer. Courts control the calendar; no attorney can promise a date.

Can I evict a tenant myself in Clark County?

If the property is owned by an LLC or corporation, no — Washington superior courts require entities to appear through a licensed attorney. Individual owners may file pro se, but Washington applies strict compliance to notices and most contested cases now involve appointed tenant counsel.

What's the first step to evict a tenant in Vancouver?

Serving the legally correct notice for your situation. That depends on the reason, the lease, and federal screens (CARES Act, servicemember status). Our intake determines the right notice in about five minutes, before you pay anything.